San Bernardino Superior Court Judge Arthur Harrison also reduced bail from $750,000 to $500,000 for Laura Whitehurst, who had asked to be released on her own recognizance.

Whitehurst, a 28-year-old Redlands resident, is scheduled back in court on Wednesday, when lawyers may discuss a plea bargain.

Deputy District Attorney Melissa Rodriguez told the judge she opposed a bail reduction for several reasons -- there are multiple alleged victims, the defendant contacted an alleged victim when she was told not to by his mother, and that Whitehurst indicated she was considering leaving the state after the allegations were reported to police.

"We believe she would be a flight risk and a danger to society," Rodriguez told Harrison.

Redlands-based defense attorney James Gass argued that Whitehurst has been cooperating with authorities since her arrest earlier this month and that most of the allegations date back to 2008.

Gass also asked the judge to take into consideration that Whitehurst has a nursing baby at home.

"It is a stretch to say she is a threat to society," Gass told Harrison.

Rodriguez also told the judge there is a fourth possible victim but the statute of limitations has passed.

"It just continues to show the type of conduct that this defendant was engaged in," she said.

Whitehurst, a former English teacher at Citrus Valley High School, Orangewood High School and Redlands High School, is charged with 41 felony counts of illegal sex acts with three minor students.

The felony charges carry a maximum prison sentence of 29 years, according to the District Attorney's Office. At the time of the alleged relationships, the boys ranged in age from 14 to 17, police said.

Whitehurst gave birth to a child on June 18 that authorities say was fathered by a 17-year-old boy who graduated from Citrus Valley High last month. She was originally arrested July 1 on suspicion of unlawful sex with that student. She posted bail and was released.

Two former students then came forward to allege that they had sexual relationships with Whitehurst while they attended Redlands High. Those accusations prompted her second arrest on July 8.

Whitehurst, who was being held at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, was still wearing a protective custody green jumpsuit at Friday's court hearing.

Gass said he wanted to come back to court on Wednesday to see if the case can be resolved.

Outside the courtroom, Rodriguez indicated to the media a plea bargain is on the table.

"There has been an offer that's been extended," she said. "I need to discuss that offer with the victims' family. I won't share that with you at this time, but there is a possibility she will plead to some of the charges on the 31st."